Auto run mode for initiating heating cycle of heated bedding product

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an auto run mode for initiating a heating cycle of a heated bedding product. A heated bedding product can include a bedding product body comprising a heating element and a controller electrically connected to the heating element. The controller can include a processing circuit, such as a microcontroller, that is configured to operate in an auto run mode in which a heating cycle of the heating element is automatically initiated in response to alternating current power being provided to the controller.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR § 1.57.This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/621,928, filed Jun. 13, 2017 and titled “AUTO RUN MODE FOR INITIATINGHEATING CYCLE OF HEATED BEDDING PRODUCT,” the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to heated beddingproducts.

Description of the Related Technology

This disclosure relates to heated bedding products. Example heatedbedding products include electric blankets, electric mattress pads,electric throws, electric sheets, electric quilts, electrically heatedmattresses, electric foot warmers, and the like. Heated bedding productscan pre-warm a bed and avoid a chilling feeling of getting into a coldbed. Heated bedding products can provide an energy efficient way to staywarm on a cold night.

Modern heated bedding controllers utilize microcontroller based solidstate electronics to control energy supplied to a heating element ratherthan mechanical switches and mechanical thermostats. Modern controllerscan include switches to toggle the unit “on” or “off. In suchmicrocontroller based platforms, heating can be initiated by a usertaking action, such as physically pushing a button, after a controlleris plugged into an alternating current (AC) power source.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

The innovations described in the claims each have several aspects, nosingle one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes.Without limiting the scope of the claims, some prominent features willnow be briefly discussed.

One aspect of this disclosure is a heated bedding system that includes abedding product body comprising a heating element, a controllerelectrically connected to the heating element, and a voltage switchingdevice connected to the controller. The controller comprises aprocessing circuit configured to operate in an auto run mode in which aheating cycle of the heating element automatically initiated in responseto alternating current power being provided to the controller. Thevoltage switching device is configured to provide alternating currentpower from an alternating current outlet to the controller in a firststate and to isolate the controller from the alternating current outletin a second state.

The voltage switching device can include one of a digital timer, amechanical timers, a Wi-Fi outlet switch, or a home automation system.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a heated bedding product comprisinga bedding product body comprising a heating element and a controllerelectrically connected to the heating element. The controller includes aprocessing circuit configured to operate in an auto run mode in which aheating cycle of the heating element is automatically initiated inresponse to alternating current power being provided to the controller.

The processing circuit can be a microcontroller. The processing circuitcan emulate an air gap switch in an on position in the auto run mode.The processing circuit can activate the auto run mode in response touser input.

The controller can accept user input and adjust one or more settings inresponse to the user input while alternating current power is beingprovided to the controller. The controller can set a heating levelassociated with the heating element for the auto run mode based on atemperature setting of a previous heating cycle. The controller canterminate the heating cycle in response to a predetermined period oftime elapsing.

The processing circuit can perform a start-up test prior toautomatically initiating the heating cycle in the auto run mode and toonly automatically initiate the heating cycle of the heating element inresponse to passing the start-up test.

The heating bedding product can comply with a UL 964 standard. Theheating bedding product can be an electric blanket.

The controller can further include a temperature control circuitelectrically connected to the processing circuit and configured tocontrol a temperature associated with the heating element.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a method of operating a heatedbedding product. The method comprises running a self-test check inresponse to an alternating current power being provided to a controllerof the heated bedding product, the controller being configured tocontrol a heating element of the heated bedding product; andautomatically initiating a heating cycle of the heating element inresponse to passing the self-test check and the controller being in anauto run mode.

The method can include setting the controller to the auto run mode inresponse to receiving user input. The method can include setting atemperature of the heating cycle prior to said automatically initiatingthe heating cycle. The method can include setting an auto-shutdown timeof the heating cycle prior to said automatically initiating the heatingcycle.

The method can include wirelessly receiving a control signal that causesa voltage switch to electrically connect the controller to analternating current outlet and thereby provide the alternating currentpower to the controller.

The method can include receiving an input to cause a voltage switch toelectrically connect the controller to an alternating current outletafter a predetermined period of time and thereby provide the alternatingcurrent power to the controller. The controller can include amicrocontroller configured to operate in the auto run mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heated bedding system connected to analternating current (AC) power outlet.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another heated bedding system connectedto an AC power outlet.

FIG. 3 is schematic block diagram of a controller of a heated beddingproduct that includes a microcontroller according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of a controller of aheated bedding product that includes a microcontroller according to anembodiment. FIG. 4 is split into FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B) forreadability.

FIG. 5 is flow diagram of a process of operating a microcontroller of aheated bedding product according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of certain embodiments presentsvarious descriptions of specific embodiments. However, the innovationsdescribed herein can be embodied in a multitude of different ways, forexample, as defined and covered by the claims. In this description,reference is made to the drawings where like reference numerals canindicate identical or functionally similar elements. It will beunderstood that elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarilydrawn to scale. Moreover, it will be understood that certain embodimentscan include more elements than illustrated in a drawing and/or a subsetof the elements illustrated in a drawing. Further, some embodiments canincorporate any suitable combination of features from two or moredrawings.

The UL 964 standard is a standard for electrically heated beddingproducts. This standard includes a comprehensive set of regulations.Heated bedding products can be certified to the meet the UL 964 standardand then marked accordingly. This can assure consumers that such heatingbedding products are safe to use. Accordingly, it can be desirable for aheated bedding product to meet the UL 964 standard. Manufacturers aretherefore discouraged from designing products that will not be certifiedas meeting the UL 964 standard. Various ways of automatically turning ona heated bedding product would not comply with the current UL 964standard and/or testers will not certify that such heated beddingproducts comply with the UL 964 standard. Accordingly, such ways ofautomatically turning on a heated bedding product would be avoided.Current heated bedding products involve user action after applyingalternating current (AC) power to initiate heating.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to configuring a controller to enablea user selectable auto run mode to initiate a heating cycle of a heatedbedding product in response to AC power being applied to the controller.In the auto run mode, the heating cycle is initiated without user actionafter AC power is applied to the controller. The functionality of theauto run mode can be implemented by programming the firmware of amicrocontroller. A heated bedding product that includes such amicrocontroller can comply with the current UL 964 standard. AC powercan be provided to the controller by a voltage switching deviceconnected to a household AC power outlet. The auto run mode can beselected and/or de-selected by one or more user interface commands. Suchuser interface commands can be outlined in a user manual. An indication,such as visual indication, of auto run mode selection can be displayedor otherwise provided to indicate that the auto run mode is active.Similarly, an indication of auto run mode de-selection can be providedto indicate that auto run is inactive. The controller can automaticallyshut off the heating element after a predetermined time-out period, suchas 10 hours. When AC power is removed for a sufficient amount time toallow the microcontroller to reset, a heating cycle of the heatedbedding product can be automatically activated again by a subsequentapplication of AC power to the controller while in the auto run mode.

Any suitable principles and advantages discussed herein can beimplemented by a processing circuit of a controller of a heated beddingproduct. The processing circuit includes physical circuitry andnon-transitory memory configured to store instructions executable by thephysical circuitry. The physical circuitry can include solid stateelectronics. A processing circuit can be a microcontroller.Alternatively, a processing circuit can be a microprocessor combinedwith external peripherals. The processing circuit can operate in an autorun mode in accordance with one or more features discussed herein. Whileexample embodiments and functionality may be described with reference toa microcontroller, one or more features discussed herein can beimplemented in any other suitable processing circuit of a controller ofa heated bedding product.

As discussed above, in microcontroller based heated bedding productsplatforms, heating can be initiated by a user taking action, such asphysically pushing a button, after a controller is plugged into an ACpower source. Under a number of circumstances, this functionality of amicrocontroller based platform that involves user action to initiateheating can be desirable, as it enables a heating cycle to be initiatedonly by direct action of a user. Moreover, such functionality can complywith the current UL 964 standard. However, this same operationalcharacteristic involving user action can prevent a heating cycle frombeing initiated by an external switch applying AC power to thecontroller because applying AC power would only result in the poweringof the microcontroller and associated circuitry. The heating cycle wouldnot begin in such a platform without the user pushing a button orotherwise activing the heating cycle.

Microcontrollers disclosed herein can operate in an auto run mode thatcan automatically begin a heating cycle after a power up self-test iscomplete. Accordingly, the heating cycle can begin without user actionafter AC power is applied to a controller. The microcontroller can beginthe heating cycle at a heating level that was last used and/or apreviously set auto run heating level. Such a heating level can be set,for example, by a mechanical temperature dial or other device, anon-volatile memory circuit storing to a heating setting received by auser interface, or the like. The heated bedding product can continue theheating cycle until an automatic timer feature ends the heating cycle.Disconnecting AC power from the controller that includes themicrocontroller, can allow a power supply of the microcontroller to dropto a level to allow for a reset. After the microcontroller is reset, anew heating cycle can be initiated. The new heating cycle can beautomatically initiated in response to AC power being applied to thecontroller in the auto run mode and the new heating cycle can run untilautomatic shut off once again occurs.

The microcontrollers discussed herein can allow a controller of a heatedbedding product to operate with one or more external line voltageswitching devices. Example voltage switching devices include, but arenot limited to, automatic timers such as mechanical timers or digitaltimers, switches controlled by wireless signals such as Wi-Fi switchesor other switches controlled by wireless local area network signals,home automation systems, or any suitable device with the ability totoggle the on/off state of an AC line voltage.

While AC power is continuously applied to the controller, a user canachieve full control of the device by the use of the device's userinterface. For instance, the controller can receive control inputs thatcan override any automatic operation.

Microcontrollers discussed herein can be programmed to emulate an airgap switch that is left in the “on” position. This can enable themicrocontroller to automatically initiate a heating cycle of a heatedbedding product in response to AC power being applied to a controller ofthe heated bedding product. As such, no user action is needed toinitiate a heating cycle unlike microcontroller based heated beddingcontrollers that require user action, such as a button push, to initiatea heating cycle after AC power is applied to a controller.Microcontrollers disclosed herein can comply with the current UL 964standard.

Microcontrollers discussed herein can enable a heated bedding product tobe turned on remotely and/or to be set to be turned on at a set time inthe future. As one example, a user can wirelessly control a Wi-Fi switchconnected between a controller of a heated bedding product and an ACoutlet. The user can toggle a state of the Wi-Fi switch such that theWi-Fi switch enters a state in which it applies AC power from the ACoutlet to the controller. A microcontroller of the controller can thenautomatically initiate a heating cycle of the heated bedding product inaccordance with the principles and advantages discussed herein. Asanother example, a timer, such as a mechanical timer or a digital timer,can be connected between a controller of a heated bedding product and anAC outlet. The user can set the time such that it applies AC power fromthe AC outlet to the controller in response to a set time elapsing. Amicrocontroller of the controller can then automatically initiate aheating cycle of the heated bedding product in accordance with theprinciples and advantages discussed herein. Microcontrollers discussedherein can also automatically initiate a heating cycle after a poweroutage in response to power being restored to a controller.

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a heated bedding system 10 connected toan AC power outlet 12. The illustrated heated bedding system 10 includesa heated bedding product and a voltage switching device 14. Asillustrated, the heated bedding product includes a controller 15, abedding product body 16 with an embedded heating element 18, and a powercord 19. In FIG. 1, the heated bedding product is an electric blanket.

The controller 15 is configured to turn the heating element 18 on andoff and to adjust an amount of heat provided by the heating element 18.The controller 15 can include a microcontroller implemented inaccordance with any of the principles and advantages discussed herein.In FIG. 1, the controller 15 is connected to the voltage switchingdevice 14 by the power cord 19.

The voltage switching device 14 can selectively provide AC power fromthe AC power outlet 12 to the controller 15. The voltage switchingdevice 14 can be implemented by any suitable device configured to togglebetween a first state that provides an AC line voltage from the AC poweroutlet 12 to the controller 15 and a second state in which thecontroller 15 is disconnected and/or electrically isolated from the ACpower outlet 12. The AC power outlet 12 can be any suitable AC poweroutlet, such as a household AC power outlet.

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of a heated bedding system 20 connected toan AC power outlet 12. The heated bedding system 20 is like the heatedbedding system 10 of FIG. 1, except that example voltage switchingdevices are shown instead of the voltage switching device 14. FIG. 2illustrates that one or more of a digital timer 21, a mechanical timer22, a Wi-Fi outlet switch 23, or a home automatic system 24 canimplement a voltage switching device. For example, any one of thevoltage switching devices shown in FIG. 2 can be connected between thecontroller 15 and the AC power outlet 12. In some other implementations,two or more of the voltage switching devices shown in FIG. 2 can beconnected between the controller 15 and the AC power outlet 12. In suchimplementations, a plurality of controller AC power cords can beconnected to the controller 15 with voltage switching devices and/or oneor more intervening device can be connected between an AC power cord andvoltage switching devices.

FIG. 3 is schematic block diagram of a controller, such as thecontroller 15 of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2. The controller can be implementedby any suitable circuitry. As illustrated, the controller includes amicrocontroller 31, a user interface circuit 32, a temperature controlcircuit 33, a shutdown circuit 34, and a display drive circuit 35.

The microcontroller 31 can implement any of the principles andadvantages of the microcontrollers discussed herein. The microcontroller31 can be programmed with custom firmware. The microcontroller 31 canmonitor operator switch functions. The microcontroller 31 can providefeedback to a user via a display or light emitting diode. Themicrocontroller 31 can monitor temperature of a heating element of aheated bedding product. The microcontroller 31 can monitor the heatingelement for faults. The microcontroller 31 can power on/off the heatingelement based on test result. The microcontroller 31 can cause theheating element to be shut down in response to detecting a potentiallyunsafe condition. The microcontroller 31 can power the controller off inresponse to detecting a potential safety issue. The microcontroller 31can maintain user settings in memory.

The user interface circuit 32 can receive user input and provide one ormore signals to the microcontroller 31. For example, the user interfacecircuit 32 can receive user input to select the auto run mode and/or tode-select the auto run mode and provide one or more signals to themicrocontroller 31 to toggle the auto run mode.

An example of activating the auto run mode will now be described. Suchoperations can be outlined in a user manual. The controller is turnedoff. While the controller is off, one or more buttons can be pushed fora threshold period of time. For instance, a preheat button and an upbutton can be pushed for approximately 2 seconds until a user interfaceprovides an indication, such as displaying one or more differentcharacters or a light emitting diode blinking, that auto run mode hasbeen activated. The buttons can be released to allow the user interfaceto stop providing the indication, such as by turning a display or lightemitter diode off. Then the controller can be set in auto run mode.

An example of deactivating the auto run mode will now be described. Thecontroller is turned off. While the controller is off, one or morebuttons can be pushed for a threshold period of time. For instance, apreheat button and an up button can be pushed for approximately 2seconds until a user interface provides an indication, such asdisplaying one or more different characters or a light emitting diodeblinking, that auto run mode has been deactivated. This indication canbe different than the indication of the autorun mode being activated,such as displaying one or more different characters or providing adifferent number of blinks. The buttons can be released to allow theuser interface to stop providing the indication of auto run mode beingdeactivated, such as by turning a display or light emitter diode off.Then the auto mode of the controller can be deactivated and thecontroller can operate in a normal mode.

The temperature control circuit 33 can cause a temperature associatedwith a heating element, such as the heating element 18 of FIG. 1 and/orFIG. 2, to be adjusted based on a temperature control signal from themicrocontroller 31.

The shutdown circuit 34 can cause the heating element to turn off. Forexample, the shutdown circuit 34 can cause the heating element to turnoff in response to a shutdown signal from the microcontroller 31. Themicrocontroller 31 can assert the shutdown signal in response to aperiod of time elapsing and/or detecting that a test has failed. Asanother example, the shutdown circuit 34 can sense a condition and turnoff the heating element in response to sensing the condition. Thedisplay drive circuit 35 can control a display, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). For instance, the display drive circuit 35 can cause avisual confirmation to be displayed in response to the microcontroller31 providing a signal indicating that auto run mode has been selected.

FIG. 4 is schematic diagram of a controller, such as the controller 15of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is split into FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B)for readability. The illustrated controller includes a microcontroller42, LCD drive circuit LCD1, first to fourth switches SW1 to S4,respectively, fuse F1, first to fifty fifth resistors R1 to R55,respectively, first to ninth capacitors C1 to C9, respectively, first tofourteenth diodes CR1 to CR14, respectively, voltage regulator U1, firstto fourth amplifiers U2:A to U2D, respectively, optoisolator U3,thyristor devices Q2 and Q5, and transistor Q4. In FIG. 4, themicrocontroller 42 can implement any of the principles and advantages ofthe microcontrollers discussed herein. The other illustrated circuitrycan implement features described with reference to FIG. 3, for example.For instance, the LCD drive circuit LCD1 can implement a display drivecircuit. As another example, the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and S4 can beincluded in a user interface circuit.

FIG. 5 is flow diagram of a process 50 of operating a microcontroller.The microcontroller can be implemented in any suitable controller for aheated bedding product, such as the controller of one or more of FIGS. 1to 4. The microcontroller can be implemented in a heated bedding productthat complies with a UL 964 standard. The microcontroller can beprogrammed with custom firmware that enables some or all of the process50 to be performed. For example, instructions that cause themicrocontroller to perform some or all of the process 50 can beprogrammed into non-volatile memory, such as read-only non-volatilememory. Microcontrollers can be programmed to perform a subset of theoperations of the process 50 and/or additional operations. Moreover, theoperations discussed with reference to the process 50 can be performedin any suitable order for operating a heated bedding product. Some orall of the process 50 can be implemented by any other suitableprocessing circuit such as a microprocessor and external peripherals.Moreover, embodiments are not limited to the exact sequence of actsdescribed, nor are they necessarily limited to the practice of all ofthe acts set forth. Other sequences of events or acts, or less than allof the events, or simultaneous occurrence of the events, may be utilizedin practicing certain embodiments.

AC power is applied to the microcontroller to start the process 50. Avoltage switching device can transition from a state in which AC poweris disconnected from the microcontroller to a state in which it providesAC power to the microcontroller. The voltage switching device cancontinue to provide AC power to the microcontroller throughout theprocess 50. At block 51, the microcontroller is initialized. As part ofa startup self-test, internal tests are performed at block 52. Then, atdecision block 53, it is determined whether the internal tests pass. Ifthe internal tests fail, a failure mode can be activated at block 54. Auser can be notified that the failure mode is activated. Themicrocontroller can remain in the failure mode until corrective actionis taken. If the internal tests pass, it is determined whether the autorun mode is active at decision block 55.

After the auto run mode is determined to be inactive, power up test cancontinue. This can involve performing display and power up tests atblock 56. If the tests are determined to fail at block 57, the failuremode can be entered at block 54. If the tests are determined to pass atblock 57, an off mode can be activated at block 58. In the off mode,heating is not initiated until a user takes action, such as toggling apower switch.

In the off mode, it can be determined whether tests pass at block 59. Ifthe tests fail, the failure mode can be entered at block 54. If thetests pass, the microcontroller can determine if a user action toinitiate a heating process has occurred. For instance, themicrocontroller can detect if a power switch is pressed at block 60. Ifa switch press is detected, a heating mode 61 can be activated. On theother hand, if a switch press is not detected, the microcontroller canthen determine whether to toggle the auto run mode. For instance, themicrocontroller can determine if the switch or one or more otherswitches (e.g., a pre-heat or user programming switch) has been pressedat block 62. After a switch pressed is detected at block 62, the autorun mode can toggle by changing from active to inactive or changing frominactive to active at block 63. After toggling the auto run mode or whenthe switch press is not detected, the microcontroller can determine ifuser input to program an auto-shutdown has been received at block 64.For instance, the microcontroller can determine if the switch or adifferent switch has been pressed at block 64. If a switch press isdetected, the microcontroller can program an auto-shutdown after aperiod of time corresponding to user input elapses. After programmingthe auto-shutdown or if the switch press is not detected, themicrocontroller can enter the off mode at block 58.

If the auto run mode is determined to be active at block 55, a heatingcycle can begin at block 61. Accordingly, the microcontroller canautomatically initiate a heating cycle in response to AC power beingapplied to the microcontroller without a user taking action after the ACpower is applied. At block 66, the microcontroller determines whether apower switch is pressed. In the power switch is pressed, themicrocontroller can enter the off mode at block 58. On the other hand,if the power switch press is not detected, the microcontroller candetect whether to auto-shutdown the heating process at block 67. Forexample, the microcontroller can be programmed to stop a heating cycleafter a predetermined period of time has elapsed such as a maximumamount of time for a heating cycle (e.g., after 10 hours) and/or anamount of time programmed at block 65. If the microcontroller determinesto auto-shutdown, the off mode is entered at block 58. Otherwise, one ormore tests can be performed at block 58 to determine whether to continueoperating in the heating mode at block 61 or to enter the failure modeat block 54.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosure. The inventive subject matter is not limited to theparticular forms or methods disclosed and covers all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thevarious implementations described and the appended claims. Indeed, thenovel heated bedding products, systems, and methods described herein maybe embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions,substitutions and changes in the form of the methods, products, andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the disclosure. While elements are presented in a given arrangement,alternative embodiments may perform similar functionalities withdifferent components and/or circuit topologies and some elements may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each ofthese elements may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Anysuitable combination of the elements and operations of the variousembodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such formsand/or modifications and their equivalents as would fall within thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

1. (canceled)
 2. A heated bedding system comprising: a bedding productbody with an embedded heating element; a controller configured tocontrol the heating element, wherein the controller comprises aprocessing circuit configured to emulate an air gap switch in an onposition; and a voltage switching device configured to providealternating current power to the controller; wherein the heated beddingsystem is configured to: receive a wireless signal; and in response toreceiving the wireless signal, automatically initiate a heating cycle ofthe heating element when (i) the controller receives the alternatingcurrent power from the voltage switching device and (ii) the processingcircuit emulates the air gap switch.
 3. The heated bedding system ofclaim 2, wherein the wireless signal is a wireless local area networksignal.
 4. The heated bedding system of claim 2, wherein the processingcircuit is configured to emulate the air gap switch in the on positionin response to user input.
 5. The heated bedding system of claim 2,wherein the processing circuit is configured to set an auto-shutdowntime of the heating cycle.
 6. The heated bedding system of claim 2,wherein the processing circuit is configured to perform a start-up testin response to receiving the wireless signal and to only automaticallyinitiate the heating cycle in response to passing the start-up test. 7.The heated bedding system of claim 2, wherein the bedding product bodyand the controller are included in a heated bedding product that is incompliance with a UL 964 standard.
 8. The heated bedding system of claim2, wherein the voltage switching device comprises a Wi-Fi switch.
 9. Theheated bedding system of claim 2, wherein the processing circuitcomprises a microcontroller.
 10. A method of operating a heated beddingproduct, the heated bedding product comprising a heating element and acontroller, the method comprising: wirelessly receiving a controlsignal; emulating, by a processing circuit of the controller of theheated bedding product, an air gap switch in an on position; and inresponse to the wirelessly receiving the control signal, automaticallyinitiating a heating cycle of the heating element of the heated beddingproduct with the processing circuit of the controller emulating the airgap switch in the on position.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thecontrol signal is a wireless local area network signal.
 12. The methodof claim 10, wherein the heating bedding product complies with a UL 964standard.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitcomprises a microcontroller.
 14. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising activating an auto run mode of the processing circuit inresponse to user input.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprisingperforming a start-up test in response to the wirelessly receiving thecontrol signal, wherein passing the start-up test occurs prior to theautomatically initiating the heating cycle.
 16. The method of claim 10,wherein the wirelessly receiving the control signal causes alternatingcurrent power to be applied to the controller.
 17. The method of claim10, further comprising setting an auto-shutdown time of the heatingcycle prior to the automatically initiating the heating cycle.
 18. Aheated bedding product comprising: a bedding product body with anembedded heating element; and a controller configured to control theheating element and to receive alternating current power, the controllercomprising a processing circuit configured to emulate an air gap switchin an on position, wherein the controller is configured to automaticallyinitiate a heating cycle of the heating element when (i) the controllerreceives the alternating current power and (ii) the processing circuitemulates the air gap switch in the on position.
 19. The heated beddingproduct of claim 18, wherein the heating bedding product complies with aUL 964 standard.
 20. The heated bedding product of claim 18, wherein theprocessing circuit is configured to perform a start-up test and to onlyautomatically initiate the heating cycle in response to passing thestart-up test.
 21. The heated bedding product of claim 18, wherein theprocessing circuit is configured to activate an auto run mode of theprocessing circuit in response to user input.